DIALOGUEletters
Odds and ends (cont.)
Finding a “cura” for
bladder weakness
I read your article [“Urine
trouble,” June 2008] with interest, but noted that you did not
mention anything about physiotherapy treatment exercises for
incontinence.
I am a woman in my 70s and
was referred by my family doctor
to an organization called Cura
Physiotherapy for this problem.
You attend a number of indi-
vidual sessions with your physiotherapist in order to learn exercises you can do at
home daily. It is important to learn how to do
them correctly and to be consistent for them
to work.
At first, however, I wasn’t sure these exercises were going to work for my bladder problem, but within four weeks I was amazed how
conditions improved. I had thought that I
would have to go for surgery for bladder
repair, but am now convinced that this will
not be necessary.
K.E. Ward
Edmonton, Alberta
In response to your story in the
July 2008 issue [“The green in the
machine”], disposable cups and
containers made of plastic from
corn and other plant-based products (known as polylactic acid, or
PLA) are indeed compostable, as the
article states. However, the suggestion they simply be tossed into the
trash where they will decompose
quickly is inaccurate. Most plastics
of this type are compostable, but
not when treated as trash disposed of
in landfills.
Have something to say?
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Send all letters to: Dialogue, The Costco
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To decompose, compostable materials
like PLA plastic must be subjected to a carefully controlled combination of temperatures, oxygen and moisture in an industrial
composting facility. Disposing of these products in the trash, on the other hand, results
in a one-way trip to the local landfill where
they can remain for as long as petroleum-based plastics.
Disposal of PLA plastic containers in a
more sustainable manner requires:
1. Access to an adequate industrial composting facility.
2. Putting them in containers designed to
collect them specifically for composting in
these facilities.
3. Keeping them out of the trash and
recycling bins designated for collecting
petroleum-based plastic items.
Harry Lewis, Attorney Adviser
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C.
Buy Smart: FoodSaver
Thanks for the informative article [Buy
Smart, August 2008]. I used my first FoodSaver
so much—and for so many purposes—that it
wore out after about 18 months! I am pleased
to learn that they now make a better model
and that Costco carries it.
Karen Nichols-Hoppe
Seattle, Washington
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